Men's Sandstone™ Soft Shell Hooded Jacket

With stretch, breathability, and weather resistance, the versatile range of soft shell jackets is legendary. But the Sandstone Hooded Jacket is as an even more indispensable utility piece due to a low-pro stretch hood that fits under a climbing helmet. Targeted technical features focus the performance on moving fast in the alpine.

Active: Our most athletic fit. Close to body without restricting mobility. Designed to fit over baselayers and lightweight midlayers.

Streamlined, bulkless designNo overbuilt bells and whistles

Zip chest pocket with media portKeeps the soundtrack pumping

Drawcord waistSeals out drafts

StormRepel DWR finishWater beads and rolls off rather than soaks in

78% nylon/12% spandex/10% polyester

Average length: Reg 28.5"; Tall 30.5"

Average garment weight: 14.7 oz

Imported

Machine wash

SOFT SHELL

The primary benefit of a shoft shell is that the fabric sheds weather but still stretches and breathes at an elevated rate during mountain activity. This performance attribute is why First Ascent stretch-woven soft shells are such perfect choices for cold-weather activities that require constant temperature regulation and liberating stretch.

STORMREPEL®

Durable, Water-Repellent Finish

Our StormRepel® DWR finish sheds moisture so it doesn't soak into the fabric.

"My favorite jacket for everything. I loved the versatility of the original Sandstone, and by adding a stretchy hood, we have extended the range of this soft shell to the highest of mountains."

This jacket is made from the same material as the hoodless soft-shelled jackets EB had a few years ago. I have two of them and they are my first choice for a light weight jacket. When i saw the hooded one was now offered, i jumped at the chance to buy one. I had previously been using a competitor's hooded trail jacket, but it is not as flexible or breathable. EB's jacket is lightweight, made of a stretch fabric, and provides rain resistance by repelling rain. The hood is an added benefit. The jacket has two side zippered pockets and a zippered chest pocket which is great to stash a cell phone. The First Ascent logo is on the sleeve again, which by itself, states this is a durable, well-made product. I just love this jacket!

This jacket is worth every penny. Although I could stop there I won't. I wore this as my outer-layer on a hike up Independence Pass (in Colorado, peaks at about 12,000 feet) and it was outstanding. It was a very windy day and I couldn't feel it whatsoever wearing this jacket. It looks good, sheds water decently, and blocks wind like nothing I've ever worn before. However, I will say, be sure and wear a long-sleeve underneath this. The elbows kind of feel like sandpaper...

Simply put, I LOVE this jacket. I use it as a top layer for winter commuting all the way down to sub-zero temperatures, and it's become my go-to jacket for year-round jogging and road biking on cold damp days.

I can layer as much or as little as I want under this jacket and it never gets tough to move or stupid looking. And the fact that the hood can fit under my bike helmet means that I've always got a backup plan if the ride gets really cold. If you keep moving and generate your own body heat, this coat serves as a perfect top-layer as low as -6 degrees Fahrenheit. (NOTE: Base layers are needed, don't get me wrong.)

The Ascent Blue color is nicely visible while riding but not too obnoxious for casual wear. Like others here, I intend to buy another of these - probably without a hood.

If I were to change anything about this, I'd add pit zips, but overheating in this jacket isn't a frequent issue for me. I just open the front or the mesh pockets for a bit of venting and keep riding.

When you first get it, it doesn't feel like you're getting much jacket for the cost, but the versatility offsets that almost immediately. Within a week, I was ignoring my other light and mid-weight jackets and after a few months, it's astonishing how many low-quality "performance" fleeces and shells I have replaced in my closet with this one jacket.

If you're looking for a multi-use soft-shell or if you're a bike commuter wanting more versatility and value than bike-specific jackets, look no further.

The jacket fits great, looks great and is relatively wind resistant while also being breathable. The jacket is thinner than I expected and definitely needs to be layered in cold weather. If you use it as a stand alone I'd probably say 45 degrees is it's limit, it really is just a shell

I ordered the Medium Tall for a 6'6" 180lb frame and it fits great. The sleeve length is just right. This jacket gets many compliments.